Bucky Irving was a productive running back in high school but did not play during his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily shut down their football program. He joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers as a freshman and played in 12 games as a part of a three-man backfield and finished out the year as the primary rusher.
He transferred to Oregon in 2022, where he became the starting running back, playing alongside quarterback Bo Nix and wideout Troy Franklin. He led the team in rushing for two seasons while the Oregon Ducks enjoyed successful years, ending No. 6 in the nation for 2023. Irving topped 1,000 rushing yards in both seasons while quickly growing into a dangerous weapon as a receiver.
Height: 5-9
Weight: 192 pounds
40 time: 4.56 seconds
At 192 pounds at the NFL Combine, Irving was one of the lightest running backs in the class and his 4.56 40-time was just a tick below average for the group. Irving doesn’t stand out in size or speed. What has set him apart is his football IQ and overall ability to make a difference. Irving shouldn’t be measured by just his physical specs.
Bucky Irving stats (2020-23)
| Year | School | Games | Runs | Yards | Avg. | TD | Catch | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Minnesota | 12 | 133 | 699 | 5.3 | 4 | 8 | 73 | 0 |
| 2022 | Oregon | 13 | 156 | 1058 | 6.8 | 5 | 31 | 299 | 3 |
| 2023 | Oregon | 14 | 186 | 1180 | 6.3 | 11 | 56 | 413 | 2 |
Pros
- Elite ability to make tacklers miss.
- Superior balance lets him bounce off defenders and break through arm tackles
- Determined runner who falls forward for extra yards
- Decisive runner with excellent vision to pick the right lane and then bounce left or right at the right moment
- Good fit for offenses relying on outside runs and gap schemes
- Increased use as a receiver fits well into NFL backfields and sets him apart from most other rookie backs
- Highly competitive
Cons
- Smaller frame naturally causes durability and inside rushing concerns
- Lack of top-end speed will limit long gainers
- Pass blocking needs work and lack of size could limit
- Occasionally sacrifices taking the moderate gains for attempts to break a longer run
- Receiving could be expanded – relied on short passes and dump-offs at Oregon
Fantasy Outlook
The concerns with Bucky Irving are naturally about his size and speed, and how much he benefitted playing behind a great offensive line on a team with a great passing game. But Irving has undeniably shown the characteristics of an NFL-quality running back as a highly productive rusher and an equally valuable receiver. He’s not likely to step into a three-down role in the NFL and may not be a primary back from the start, but he can be a significant contributor at the next level.
Irving has been compared to Keaton Mitchell and De’Von Achane – though both showed great promise last year and yet dealt with injuries.
Irving is expected to be a Day 2 pick, likely in Round 3 when the first backs should show up. Irving has the look of a third-down back that can expand into more if a need arises. He’s been linked to the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals. But as a likely third-rounder, he could end up nearly anywhere. He should produce fantasy value as a rookie, but his role and volume of work rely heavily on the scheme and backfield personnel of his new team.
